Is romantic fiction responsible for female infidelity?

Mills and Boon books have been blamed for causing marital breakdowns, affairs and unwanted pregnancies according to a new report. Are romance novels to blame for adultery? Or is porn equally, if not more harmful to relationships?

Mills and Boon titles are not only characterised by their suggestive covers and perfectly formed protagonists they're also famed for the book's snippets of steaminess throughout the narrative. But now, they are being blamed for causing marital breakdown, affairs and even unwanted pregnancies according to a report published in the British Medical Journal. Susan Quilliam, a relationship psychologist who wrote the report believes women readers struggle to distinguish the difference between romantic fiction and real life. She goes on to say that a 'huge number' of problems seen at family planning clinics including STIs and unwanted pregnancies stem from reading romance novels. Talking of her work Susan said, 'We teach that sex may be wonderful and relationships loving, but neither are ever perfect and idealising them is the short way to heartbreak.' The psychologist believes her work is undone as women reject rational thoughts in favour of romanticism, fed by romance novels. 'Our lessons are falling on deaf ears when compared to the values of the Regency heroine gazing adoringly across the Assembly Rooms to catch a glimpse of her man.' And Susan didn't stop there, 'While romance may be the wonderful foundation for a novel, it's not in itself a sufficiently strong foundation for running a lifelong relationship.'

What do you think? Are romantic novels harmful to relationships? Do romantic novels make us confused about what's reality and fiction? Does porn have the same effect? Does believing in romance have to be a negative thing? Is it only negative when it comes to sexual health?

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